Kathy Steele, MN, CS is a psychotherapist in Atlanta, and the author of articles on dissociation.

Charles Whitfield, MD is a psychotherapist in Atlanta, and is the author of Memory and Abuse.

The Trainer’s Guide

The 48-page trainer’s guide includes objectives, reproducible outlines for note-taking, review and discussion questions, a resource list, a journal article, a memorandum, and two newsletter columns, described below.

Before the 1990s, mental health professionals were rarely sued for “talking cures.” Today, hundreds and hundreds of cases have been brought against therapists working with child sexual abuse issues. Risk management needs to accommodate the current wave of lawsuits so that mental health professionals can avoid litigation. This commentary presents some of the issues involved in these cases, and suggests techniques for therapists to utilize for risk management.

The Memorandum is from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Civil No. L-96-627, Pamela P. Freyd, et al. v. Charles L. Whitfield, stating the reasons for granting a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Dr. Whitfield. The memorandum discusses background, legal standard, discussion, actual malice, protected opinion, and conclusion.